Thermal analysis and safety assessment of spent fuel transport cask are mainly conducted using commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes based on Finite Volume Method (FVM). The reliability and predictability of CFD codes have greatly been improved by the development in the computer systems, and are widely used to calculate heat flow in complex structures that cannot be analyzed theoretically. In the field of thermal analysis using the CFD code, it is important to clearly reflect the physical model of the transport cask, and a grid configuration suitable for the physical model is essential for accurate analysis. However, since there are no clear standard and guidelines for grid configuration and size, it is highly dependent on the user’s insight. Spatial discretization errors result from the use of finite-width grids and the approximation of the differential terms in the model equations by difference operators. Since the user usually cannot change the truncation error order of a given discretization scheme, spatial discretization errors can only be influenced by the provision of optimal grids. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify the spatial discretization errors caused by the grid. In the case of Orano TN’s NUHOMS® MP197 transport cask, considering four grids for two sets, the temperature uncertainty of the neutron shield, which has the lowest margin at the limit temperature among transport cask components, was quantified by applying 5-step procedure of the Grid Convergence Index (GCI) method for the uncertainty estimation presented in ASME V&V 20-2009. In the case of domestic spent nuclear fuel transport cask (KORAD21), neutron shield among the transport cask components has the lowest margin at the limited temperature. Accordingly, in this study, the temperature uncertainty of the neutron shield was quantified by applying GCI to three sets considering seven grids. As a result of the calculation, the uncertainty was less than ± 1°C, and the temperature of the neutron shield including the uncertainty was evaluated to be maintained below the limit temperature of 148°C.

The purpose of this study was to compare spatio-temporal parameters during walking between patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and a control group matched for age, height, and weight. Thirty-three subjects were included in this study. Fifteen normal subjects (age, 63.3±5.8 yrs; height, 164.1±8.7 cm; weight, 60.7±17.5 kg) and eighteen patients (age, 64.0±7.7 yrs; height, 164.7±7.3 cm; weight, 63.6±7.7 kg) participated in the study. The Vicon 512 Motion analysis system was used for gait analysis in each group during walking, with and without an obstacle. The measured spatio-temporal parameters were cadence, walking speed, stride time, step time, single limb support time, double limb support time, stride length, and step length. Results in stride length and step length, when walking without an obstacle, showed a significantly greater decrease in the patient group compared to the control group. During walking with an obstacle, the patient group showed a significantly greater decrease in the step length as compared to the control group. For the control group, there were significant decreases in parameters of cadence and walking speed and increases in parameters of stride time, step time, and single limb support time when walking with an obstacle. The patient group had lower cadence and walking speed and higher stride time, step time, and single limb support time during walking with an obstacle than in walking without an obstacle. These results suggest that patients with Parkinson's disease who walk over an obstacle can decrease cadence, stride length, and step length. Further study is needed, performed with more obstacles and combined with other external cues, such as visual or acoustic guides.